Government tightens anti-smoking measures

To prevent smoking, the Dutch government is systematically introducing new and new restrictions. For example, manufacturers were required to place frightening images on cigarette packages, and the so-called “ban on showing» (uitstalverbod/displayverbod). This year companies had to close smoking areas (in offices and enterprises), and cigarette vending machines were removed from catering establishments. The next step - ban on advertising of tobacco products in specialized stores and retail outlets from July 1, 2022.

Is the percentage of smokers decreasing?

The government, together with more than 70 public organizations in the Netherlands, adopted a national program a few years ago, which plans to reduce smoking and regular alcohol consumption among adults to 2040% by 5. However, compared to 2018, smoking and alcohol consumption remained almost the same. According to Statistics Netherlands (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, CBS), the share of smokers is still well above the target.

What is the logic behind government decisions?

An effective way to reduce the percentage of smokers is simply to make cigarettes, other tobacco products and smoking materials less visible and accessible. The idea is that non-smoking young people are less likely to start smoking, and it becomes easier to quit smoking.

What is the purpose of the new ban?

Advertising of tobacco products at points of sale was banned before. From July 1, 2022 specialty stores are also no longer allowed to advertise tobacco products and related products on the front or in the window. These are points of sale that sell tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and liquids for electronic cigarettes.

What are the exceptions?

Vendors are on the list of exceptions because "consumers visit these outlets only to buy smoking products" - so say the authorities. Specialized retail outlets are exempted from the advertising ban, which: a) sell only smoking products and smoking accessories, as well as lottery tickets and newspapers; b) are registered with the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit, NVWA).

Also on the list of exceptions are specialized stores with a net annual turnover of less than 700 euros, more than 000% of which are tobacco products. In this case, the seller must be registered with the Commercial Register by January 75, 1 and with the NVWA by January 2019, 1. Vendors who are on the list of exemptions must ensure that tobacco advertising is not visible outside the store.

Mischa Stubenitsky, spokesman for the Dutch Cancer Foundation KWF, endorsed government measures to prevent smoking. However, he noted: “Each year, more than 20 people in the Netherlands die as a result of active or passive smoking. There is no time to waste. It is desirable to extend the ban on advertising of tobacco products to all points of sale.”